Director of Business & Media Strategy

Description 22squared is seeking a modern, hybrid media leader to drive both client leadership and media strategy across our portfolio of media-only and integrated client engagements. This role reflects the evolving structure of modern media to guide clients through strong accountability, fast decision-making, and growth of business outcomes. This individual will serve as the primary strategic partner to clients, while also owning end-to-end media planning, team leadership, and operational excellence. They will help build and lead a team structured around integrated planning and client delivery, replacing traditional silos with a more agile, outcome-driven model. Key Responsibilities Integrated Media Planning Own the development of full-funnel, cross-channel media strategies across digital, social, programmatic, search, retail, and emerging channels, collaborating with strategic investment and comms strategy partners Ensure plans are grounded in data, audience insight, and business outcomes, not just channel tactics Partner with analytics teams to define KPIs, measurement frameworks, optimization plans, competitive audits and landscape data opportunities Oversee the translation of strategy into execution, ensuring alignment across planning, buying, and reporting Client Leadership & Growth - Media Only Accounts Serve as the senior day-to-day client lead across key media accounts, building trusted, senior and executive-level relationships Translate business objectives into clear media strategies that drive measurable growth Lead client communications, QBRs, and strategic planning sessions with confidence and clarity Identify opportunities to expand scope, deepen partnerships, and drive incremental revenue Team Leadership & Department Oversight Lead, mentor, and grow a hybrid team practice spanning planning and account management functions Redefine roles and workflows to support a modern, integrated media model and a model for media-only accounts Set clear expectations for quality, accountability, and client delivery across the teams working collaboratively with media operations leadership Help build scalable processes that improve speed, clarity, and consistency Collaborate with department leads across the portfolio (media and creative) to define strategic media planning and business leadership growth, goals, ways of working and product & service offerings Operational & Strategic Excellence Drive rigor in planning outputs, timelines, and deliverables Ensure alignment between strategy, execution, and measurement Partner with data and tech teams to elevate planning through advanced tools, automation, and AI Contribute to agency-wide media POVs, thought leadership, and innovation Participate in agency thought leadership and represent 22squared across the industry Qualifications 10+ years of experience in media strategy, planning, and/or client leadership within a media agency environment Proven ability to lead both client relationships and media planning functions Strong understanding of the modern media ecosystem, including: Digital and performance media (paid social, search, programmatic) Retail media and emerging platforms Cross-channel planning and full-funnel strategy Experience managing and developing high-performing teams Strong proficiency in media planning tools such as MediaOcean, Prisma, Nielsen, comScore, Media Radar, etc Strong analytical mindset with comfort translating data into actionable strategy Excellent communication and presentation skills, with executive presence Experience working in or with integrated, evolving agency models preferred #LI-HYBRID